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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are the address pins on GSI Technology parts not numbered?
- Except for the address pins that preload the address counter in synchronous SRAMs equipped with a burst counter, there is no functional significance to address pin order or “weight”. JEDEC pinout standards for SRAMs do not cite specific address pin order. See Technical Note AN1008.
- Why are the data pins on GSI Technology parts not numbered?
- There is no functional significance to data pin order or “weight”. JEDEC pinout standards for SRAMs do not cite specific data pin order. See Technical Note AN1008.
- What are DQPx pins?
- SRAMs offered in x8 vs. x9, x16 vs. x18, x32 vs. x36, or x64 vs. x72 versions share very similar pinouts. The DQPx marking identifies the data pins on x9, x18, x36 and x72 SRAMs that become NC (no connect) pins when the part is offered in x8, x16, x32 or x64 form.
- Are NC (No Connect) pins truly not connected to the die?
- NC pins are not connected to the die.
- Can MCH (Must Connect High) pins be connected directly to VDD?
- Yes, but the best practice is to tie through a 1K ohm resistor.
- Can MCL pins be connected directly to VSS?
- Yes, but best practice is to tie through a 1K ohm resistor.
- Are there any errata associated with the engineering version (ES) of the part I am using?
- This depends on the part you are using. Contact your GSI representative for details regarding Engineering Samples of the particular device of interest.
- Whom do I contact for Technical support?
- Whom do I contact for technical information on GSI components?
- Whom do I contact for Sales related questions?
- Visit our sales page to find your local GSI sales representative.
- If I am having problems with interfacing a device in my design whom can I contact?
- If I have questions about which GSI parts are going to be best suited for my design, whom can I contact?
- Does GSI manufacture 6/6 RoHS-compliant devices?
- Yes, the RoHS parts will have the letter “G” proceeding the package designator. An example would be the GS8662Q36GE-xxx.
View our RoHS Compliance Presentation for more information.
- Are GSI’s non-green parts 5/6 RoHS-compliant devices?
- Yes, all of GSI’s non-green parts are 5/6 RoHS compliant. View our RoHS Compliance page for more information.
- I want to use a GSI SRAM on a board that was designed for another vendor’s SRAM, but the GSI SRAM has mode control pins where the other vendor’s part has NC pins. Will it work?
- Why does GSI mark some pins in their pinout drawings as mode pins and/or MCH or MCL pins if they can sometimes be ignored or left unconnected?
- In most cases, JEDEC SRAM pinout standards allow vendors to offer user-configurable devices or slightly differentiated devices of very similar configuration. It is GSI’s policy to provide board layout guidance that ensures the pinout for the SRAM in question will be suitable for the largest possible number of alternate sources. Even if a board has been designed for a non-configurable SRAM that has NC pins there is often a GSI SRAM that can be used in the desired mode of operation.
- Can I power the output drivers (VDDQ) with a voltage higher than the core supply (VDD) and if not, why not?
- No. Most of our SRAMs are equipped with an input protection diode (IPD) structure on each pin that protects the input from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage. Generally, the IPD connects the pin to the VDD supply, so if the pin voltage ever exceeds one diode drop (how much voltage?)above VDD, the current is dumped into the VDD supply. ESD spikes are short and carry relatively little energy. A long term exposure to a steady state over-voltage condition on the pin will result in high current flow through the IPD and can impact long term reliability.
- I need a Military Temp/Extended Temp/Automotive Temp part. Do you have any?
- Yes, GSI Technology offers an Industrial Temperature option for every catalog part and most parts are also available in Military, Extendeded, and/or Automotive temperature grade versions. Contact your GSI representative for details.
- Who is GSI Technology Inc.?
- Founded in 1995, GSI Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of high performance SRAMs primarily incorporated in networking and telecommunications equipment. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, GSI Technology is ISO 9001 certified and has worldwide factory and sales locations. For more information, please visit our About GSI page .
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